UPDATE: It's not a rumour any more. Scroll down to the sixth post (the one with the flashy picture) for the confirmed details...

Hi folks,

Right at the outset let me reiterate one word in the title of this thread, namely rumour

In the time-honoured tradition of "my rep told me..." there is a new rumour that Canon USA may be running a cashback promotion starting on May 18th. I'd not seriously suggest you delay purchase unless your planned purchase date was rather nearer that date than we are now, but if you are in a store and talking to one of the more friendly and knowledgeable staff it may be worth asking. If you hear anything further then please let us know.

For reference, here are the Canon UK cashback numbers. For the equivalent US$ values just multiply by two. Fingers crossed that it actually happens.

A number of sites are reporting that the Canon USA rebate is real and that the promotion starts on May 18th and it's of the "instant rebate" variety available immediately as you checkout. Here is an image hosted on the Hutech site:

and here is the rebate list in case the image above is taken down:

5D................................................$300

40D..............................................$200

EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM...........$125

EF 85mm f/1.2L II USM...................$125

EF 16-35mm f/2.8L II USM...............$100

EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM....$100

EF 50mm f/1.2L USM......................$100

EF 35mm f/1.4L USM......................$100

EF 70-200mm f/4L IS USM...............$75

EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM.............$70

EF 17-40mm f/4L USM.....................$50

EF 70-200mm f/4L USM...................$40

EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro USM.............$35

EF-S 60mm f/2.8 Macro USM...........$30

EF 28-90mm f/4-5.6 III....................$15

Speedlite 580 EX II..........................$30

Speedlite 430 EX.............................$15

As you can see there are a few differences from the Canon Europe promotion which I mentioned at the start of this thread.

Those of you in the U.S.A. may face a similar situation to that we have seen in the UK. Namely, and using Amazon prices, after that $200 rebate the price of the semi-pro 40D body is less than $150 more expensive than the XSi/450D.

This sucks, if this is true I don't even have a job yet for the summer and this will be over long before I can get enough for one. Darn!

_________________Jake O'Connell, 40D CrewCanon EOS 40D | 28-135mm IS | 50mm f/1.8 |Vivitar DF 383 | Vivitar 285hvMy Flickrmy Blog"Photography isn't so much about the results as it is the collective experience, your interactions with people and with the world"

Eligible product(s) must be purchased by an end user customer from an authorized Canon U.S.A. dealer or reseller in the 50 United States, the District of Columbia or Puerto Rico between May 18, 2008 and July 19, 2008.

For each eligible product, offer is valid only while supplies last. Used or refurbished products are not eligible. Limit one instant rebate per eligible product purchased during the promotion period. Offer valid for residents of the 50 United States, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico only. This offer cannot be combined with any other offer or promotion. In the event of questions regarding claims, program or policy, Canon will review all documentation and make the final determination of claim eligibility. All decisions made by Canon and/or its agents are final. Not responsible for printing or typographical errors. Void where prohibited, taxed or restricted by law.

I've highlighted the section which may prove a downer for those planning to purchase while visiting.